This Darth Vader was packaged with Luke in a Bespin Mission Series 2-pack.  It's virtually identical to a 2013 release, save for some of the chest sculpting and other batch variances.  The Luke ain't bad, but he's tomorow - read on to find out more about Darth Vader!

The dark days of staring at the same old Black Series 6" Leia and Greedo appear to be over as stores are beginning to receive new stuff for Back To School. Stopped by the Chandler, AZ ToysRUs today and found the new TBS Deluxe Jabba and Biker Scout with Speederbike as well as their new and much maligned exclusive Battle on Endor set.

Oh... yeah!  Figure of the Day is back with Darth Sidious, a simultaneously fantastic and weird take on the Sith Lord from the most recent Star Wars movie which, at 9 years old, means we're all dying. Slowly.   It's a fun figure, particularly the split robe pants - these are just fantastic.  Read on!

The ToysRUs exclusive Battle of Endor Battle Pack is now online for $99.99. The set features an AT-ST vehicle and 8 figures including Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, Imperial Officer, AT-ST Driver, Stormtrooper, and a couple of Ewoks. Click here to order.

The Hasbro SDCC Exclusive Jabba the Hutt Playset is now available online for pre-sell at HasbroToyShop.com for $64.99 each. Click here to order yours and here to shop the rest of the exclusives. UPDATE: Sold out at around 8:10 am PT.

Comic-Con Q&A! I had a few trips to take for work, so we're getting to these now. Let's talk new waves of figures - did you get yours? Also, what didn't we see at Comic-Con? Quite a bit, it seems.

Also, don't forget to send in your questions for next time. Read on!

The Walmart exclusive 2.5 foot Star Wars Rebels Millennium Falcon is now available for pre-order online. Features include a rotating radar dish, turning canon, and label sheets for $59.96. Click here to pre-order yours for an expected 10/07 ship date.

The Lucasfilm Pavilion was a plethora of activity as usual at Comic-Con, and while Disney-Lucas is reportedly planning on "thinning the herd" for their licensors, that doesn't appear to be the case yet. The focal point was on Disney XD's soon to be televised Star Wars Rebels series. Traditional exhibitors such as Her Universe, eFX, and Hallmark showed their latest and greatest. The Yoda puppet replica from eFX looks amazingly accurate and Hallmark, as usual, sells out of their convention exclusives, but gave a sneak peek of this year's Keepsake collectibles. New licensors such as Peavey with their awesome new Star Wars  guitars, Vans, and Jakks with their jumbo plastic figures also were present.

With Hot Toys' announcement of their new 1/6 and 1/4 scale license, it will be interesting to see what direction in both product and quality Sideshow will be pursuing. They certainly make a strong case by continuing a formidable representation of Sixth Scale figures like the upcoming Sixth Scale X-Wing Luke and Arc Trooper. The new Premium Format Boba Fett also looks fantastic with its more action oriented stature as opposed to the version released a few years earlier. 

Here's the latest new arrivals and pre-orders from our sponsors at BigBadToyStore.com including the SDCC exclusive First Appearance Batman Statue from Kotobukiya and much more! Click through to shop!

Lucasfilm Ltd. and Marvel Entertainment are extremely proud to announce the iconic Star Wars franchise will return to Marvel in 2015 with a line-up of three comic book titles chronicling the adventures of a galaxy far, far away.  Beginning in January 2015, prepare for STAR WARS by writer Jason Aaron (Thor, Original Sin), artist John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men) and colorist Laura Martin, DARTH VADER by writer Kieron Gillen and artist Salvador Larroca and PRINCESS LEIA by writer Mark Waid and artist Terry Dodson.

I wrote most of this Q&A before going to San Diego this week, because of schedules and multiple trips - so very little SDCC. Instead, have 3D Movies Stuff, the 6-inch line, and of course let's complain about vehicles as that seems to be our lot. More newness next week!

Also, don't forget to send in your questions for next time. Read on!

As we pass a little over the halfway point of 2014, many collectors are wondering if this has been the worst year of collecting ever. While we’ve had some highlights for The Black Series, especially in the 6 inch scale, one can’t help but feel that 2014 is more of a “placeholder” year. A transition period that came as a result of the dynamic changes for the franchise in 2013 with Hasbro having to change up strategy and make quick realignments of their resources for Episode 7. It sure seems that way with the scarcity of product since the beginning of the year. But based on what Hasbro previewed during their annual Comic-Con Star Wars Day panel, we have some good things to look forward to for the back to school/holiday season and Q1 of  2015.